What's giving you a rash this week?
The out-of-control arrogance in professional sports today? The latest in labor? The price of a lousy stadium hot dog?
An overpaid player? An underhanded agent? An owner who would sell the carpet from underneath his own mother's feet for the right amount of PSLs and luxury boxes?
Where can you get off your chest something boiling inside your belly?
Right here. Right now. Buckshots, a weekly dish-it-out-and-duck feature, is designed to give you, the subscriber, a chance to take your best shot at Ray Buck, national columnist for SportsLine USA.
Agree or disagree, let 'er rip. Sign your name -- if you dare -- and tell us a little about yourself: age, city, state, occupation/student. Just remember, Buck has the last word.
E-mail your comments to: buckshots@sportsline.com
"I respect your views on the Shawn Kemp 'movie fiasco' and agree that his behavior, in this instance, was irresponsible. However, I have a problem with constant media bashing of an athlete's choice of celebration. Whether it's the Shawn Kemp 'crotch' move, Chris Webber & the trash-talking Fab Five or, more recently, Keyshawn Johnson's touchdown dance ... athletes -- particularly black athletes -- are not judged fairly because of their flamboyance.
"Funny thing is that Larry Bird got credit for his taunting; the media said he was an expert at 'head games.' Pete Rose never seemed to be bashed by the media for his arrogance. He was 'Charlie Hustle.' Jim McMahon was known as the confident 'Punky QB.' Al Hrabosky? He was the 'Mad Hungarian.'
"The media seems to have a problem with a black man expressing arrogance. Say what you want about him, but I'm told Deion Sanders is also a prime-time practice player and that when Deion practices, receivers get a true workout."
BUCKSHOT: Deion's wife is accusing Deion of practicing a little too much ... away from home.
"By the way, when does Bill Walton get his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Whine Cellar?"
BUCKSHOT: The Big Redhead knows he belongs as a permanent fixture in the Cellar, but whines that it should've happened long before this!
"No one ever thinks twice when Dennis Rodman dresses as a woman during some book promotion."
BUCKSHOT: Believe me, Jerry, we thought twice about Dennis in drag. And shuddered both times.
"Final score: Vols 42, Florida 31.
"Prediction: Spurrier throws the hat four times."
BUCKSHOT: Four times? That does sound like a long day for Coach Inferior.
is a top-notch quarterback who, if he enters the NFL draft early, will be among the top three taken -- if not the first.
"He is a much better quarterback than Danny Wuerffel, in my opinion. Danny is a great QB, but his numbers stem from an offense designed around the passing game and based on the principle: all touchdowns, no field goals.
"This is a good strategy until you run into a high-quality football team that can disrupt the rhythm of a game with their defensive pressure (Nebraska in Fiesta Bowl). Tennessee's defense is extremely fast and much more aggressive than last year. At times, they over-pursue, but I think they will be right on the money against Florida."
BUCKSHOT: Take it to the bank, Manning will be the first player taken in next April's NFL draft.
"I like his attitude to fire up himself, his team, and his fans. Gosh knows they need something to get excited about. And did you see him going way downfield to block for his teammate? This member of the Whine Cellar jury is still out."
BUCKSHOT: What would really fire up a New York Jets fan is Rich Kotite's firing.
"And doesn't he realize that the media can make or break him as far as endorsements are concerned? Like someone once said, 'Never argue with a man who buys his ink by the barrel.' "
BUCKSHOT: Many of these guys catch on just when it's about time to leave.
"What he needs is a facial re-arrangement by Ronnie Lott. (I know, too bad he retired!) Steve Atwater or Rod Woodson could serve him some humble pie, too. Man, I long for the good old days when action spoke louder than words."
BUCKSHOT: Keyshawn seemed to have learned a lot between his first and his second NFL touchdowns. And, hey, he's only 144 TD passes behind Jerry Rice!
would have a larger appeal than any of the other Tyson fights since his jail term ended, I do not think that Evander Holyfield should be presented as the real challenge to Mike Tyson," argues Ted Brummel.
"It is clear from his last performances that Holyfield is no longer capable of putting forth the type of effort that would result in a very interesting fight. While he will not just lay down and die like Bruce Seldon or some of the other (Tyson victims), I just think that if Tyson really wants to show that he is the people's champion, he must fight Lennox Lewis.
"Only after having fought the three men who might have a reasonable chance to beat him -- Lewis, Michael Moorer and Riddick Bowe -- should he be allowed to engage in fighting have-beens, or might have-beens ... just to pad his wallet."
BUCKSHOT: Those last five words, Ted, tell me that you understand today's fight game well. Too well.
-- and you can bet it was my last!
"How sick it made me to see that wimp Seldon, who stood in the same ring where some real contenders had stood just moments before, try to act like he really was a contender ... and a man.
"P.S. -- Can't they get a real guy to sing the National Anthem the way it was first published?"
BUCKSHOT: Actually, Francis Scott Key could've gone one round against Mike Tyson. And Bruce Seldon may have been better suited for singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
for his remark about their being 'Patsies' for the Dolphins," says Ralph C.
"So I guess he gets away with it. But the Dolphins know just how tough the Pats can be, and how often the Pats have destroyed the Dolphins' playoff hopes in the past. They'll meet once more this year and I expect him to eat crow when N.E. squishes the Fish one more time!!!"
BUCKSHOT: Domo should count his blessings. Because, if that should happen, Ralph, at least you're not making him eat squished fish.